🐾 Paw-scription Mondays: Herbal Support for Dogs with Food Sensitivities & Allergies 🌿🐶🤎

Does your dog suffer from itchy skin, ear infections, digestive upset, or chronic licking? These could be signs of food sensitivities or allergies, a growing issue affecting many dogs.

While prescription medications and special diets can help, herbal remedies offer a natural way to soothe inflammation, support digestion, and strengthen the immune system—helping your pup feel relief from food-related allergies without harsh drugs.

In this Paw-scription Monday guide, we’ll explore the best herbs to help manage food sensitivities and allergies, how they work, and how to use them to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. 🌱🐾

🐕 What Causes Food Sensitivities & Allergies in Dogs?

Unlike environmental allergies (caused by pollen, dust, or grass), food allergies and sensitivities occur when the immune system overreacts to certain proteins or ingredients in the diet.

🚨 Common Food Allergy Triggers in Dogs

🔹 Chicken, beef, or dairy (most common protein triggers)🔹 Wheat, corn, or soy (common grain-based allergens)🔹 Artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers

🐕 Symptoms of Food Allergies & Sensitivities

🔹 Itchy skin, hot spots, or excessive licking🔹 Chronic ear infections or ear scratching🔹 Digestive issues (diarrhea, vomiting, gas, bloating)🔹 Red, inflamed skin or paw chewing🔹 Frequent scratching & hair loss

Food allergies and sensitivities weaken the immune system over time, leading to chronic inflammation and discomfort. Herbal remedies can help balance the immune response, reduce inflammation, and support digestion—offering natural relief without side effects.

🌿 Best Herbs to Help Dogs with Food Sensitivities & Allergies

1. Nettle (Urtica dioica) – The Natural Antihistamine

Nettle is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory herb, helping to reduce itching, skin flare-ups, and allergic reactions.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Reduces itching, scratching, and skin inflammation✔ Supports immune balance for allergy relief✔ Helps with chronic ear infections and hot spots

🦴 How to Use It:

• Use Nettle leaf powder (¼ tsp per 10 lbs).

• Brew Nettle tea and mix into food or water.

🚨 Safe for most dogs but introduce gradually.

2. Quercetin – The "Natural Benadryl"

Quercetin is a natural antioxidant and antihistamine, making it one of the best herbs for reducing allergic reactions in dogs.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Blocks histamine release (reducing allergy symptoms)✔ Reduces skin inflammation & itching✔ Supports respiratory health & immune function

🦴 How to Use It:

• Use Quercetin supplement or powder (125 mg per 10 lbs).

• Works best for long-term allergy support.

🚨 Use with vet guidance if your dog is on medication.

3. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – The Natural Anti-Inflammatory

Licorice Root is a powerful natural steroid alternative, helping to reduce itching, hot spots, and digestive inflammation caused by food sensitivities.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Helps relieve itchy, inflamed skin✔ Reduces gut inflammation from food allergies✔ Supports adrenal function & immune balance

🦴 How to Use It:

• Use Licorice Root tincture or powder (⅛ tsp per 10 lbs).

• Works best for dogs with severe itching or gut inflammation.

🚨 Avoid in dogs with high blood pressure—use DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) licorice instead.

4. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) – The Calming Digestive & Skin Soother

Chamomile is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial, making it great for dogs with both digestive and skin-related food allergies.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Soothes itchy skin & hot spots when applied topically✔ Reduces gut inflammation & digestive issues✔ Helps with stress-related allergic reactions

🦴 How to Use It:

• Brew Chamomile tea and add to food or use as a skin rinse.

• Use Chamomile tincture (2-5 drops per 10 lbs).

🚨 Avoid in dogs allergic to plants in the daisy family.

5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – The Inflammation Fighter

Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory herb that helps reduce chronic allergy symptoms and support gut healing.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Helps calm inflammatory reactions to food✔ Reduces itchiness, redness, and swelling✔ Supports gut health and immune function

🦴 How to Use It:

• Use Turmeric powder (¼ tsp per 10 lbs).

• Mix with black pepper and coconut oil for better absorption (Golden Paste).

🚨 Avoid in dogs with gallbladder disease or on blood thinners.

6. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) – The Liver Detoxifier

Milk Thistle helps detoxify the liver, which plays a key role in removing allergens and toxins from the body.

🔥 Benefits:✔ Supports liver detox & immune balance✔ Helps flush out allergens & food toxins✔ Protects against long-term allergy damage

🦴 How to Use It:

• Use Milk Thistle powder (¼ tsp per 10 lbs).

• Works best after medication use or exposure to allergens.

🚨 Use in short cycles (2-4 weeks), then take a break.

🌿 DIY Herbal Allergy Relief Blend for Dogs

If your dog struggles with food sensitivities or chronic allergies, try this herbal blend to naturally reduce symptoms and support gut health.

🐕 DIY Herbal Anti-Allergy Powder

🫙 Ingredients:✔ 2 tbsp Nettle Powder (antihistamine support)✔ 1 tbsp Quercetin Powder (natural allergy blocker)✔ 1 tbsp Turmeric Powder (anti-inflammatory)✔ ½ tbsp Milk Thistle Powder (liver detox)

📝 Instructions:1️⃣ Mix all herbs in an airtight container.2️⃣ Add ¼ tsp per 10 lbs of body weight to food daily.3️⃣ Use long-term for allergy relief & immune balance.

🚨 Introduce slowly and monitor for any sensitivities.

🛑 When to Use Herbal Support for Food Allergies in Dogs

🌿 If your dog has chronic itching, licking, or scratching🌿 To help with digestive issues caused by food sensitivities🌿 If they suffer from hot spots, ear infections, or yeast overgrowth🌿 To support immune balance and liver detoxification🌿 As a natural alternative to allergy medications

🚨 Severe allergic reactions (swelling, difficulty breathing) require immediate veterinary care.

🥗 Other Natural Ways to Help Dogs with Food Sensitivities

✅ Feed a Limited Ingredient, Hypoallergenic Diet – Avoid processed foods & common allergens.✅ Use Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes – Support gut health & reduce inflammation.✅ Switch to Novel Proteins (e.g., Venison, Duck, Rabbit) – Avoid common food triggers.✅ Minimize Chemical Exposure – Avoid artificial preservatives, flea meds, and vaccines.✅ Provide Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Fish oil helps reduce inflammation and itchiness.

🐶 Final Thoughts: Managing Food Allergies Naturally

Food allergies and sensitivities can be challenging, but with the right herbal remedies, diet changes, and immune support, you can help your dog find relief naturally. Herbs like Nettle, Quercetin, Turmeric, and Licorice Rootprovide effective, long-term allergy relief without medications.

🐾 Has your dog struggled with food allergies? What natural remedies have worked for you? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️